Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2005


Contact: Andrés Mateo Jarrín, Venezuela Information Office, (202) 347-8081 x 601

Human Rights Group Criticizes US Policy on Venezuela

(Washington, 6/2/05) One of Venezuela's most prominent human rights organizations sent a letter to US Ambassador to Venezuela, William Brownfield this week, criticizing the Bush administration's foreign policy towards Venezuela.

The letter, written by the Venezuelan Program for Education and Action in Human Rights, PROVEA:

• Charges Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roger Noriega, and members of the US Congress with misrepresenting the human rights situation in Venezuela;

• Argues that US concerns about Venezuela stem more from ideological discrepancies rather than genuine human rights concerns; and

• Warns that a US misinformation campaign in itself threatens "Venezuela's human rights and right to sovereignty."

According to PROVEA, sovereignty is a fundamental right highlighted in the Organization of American States Charter and the United Nations Charter. Per the international organization charters, sovereignty is linked to a country's "right to democracy, to elect its own representatives, and to institutions that guarantee the expression of popular sovereignty," as well as international relations based on "respect and non-arbitrary intervention."

Given this context, PROVEA voiced its concern with "the tone, the frequency and the possible implications of comments made by high-level spokespeople" in the Bush administration.

PROVEA is a non-governmental organization associated to multiple regional human rights associations and financed by protestant and catholic churches, the European Union, international organizations, and foreign embassies in Venezuela. Human Rights Watch has labeled the apolitical organization a "respected nongovernmental human rights group."

For more information, see:

PROVEA letter to US Ambassador William Brownfield

"Provea rechaza declaraciones de altos funcionarios de EEUU contra Chávez," El Universal, June 1, 2005

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